Improvement in step-ladders



UNTED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

BRADLEY e. HiLDnETH, or WILMINGTON, DELAWARE.

IMPROVEMENT IN rSTEP-LA'DDERS.

Specication forming part of Letters Patent No. 164,683, dated June 22, 1875; application tiled December 29, 1874.

To all whom it may concern: v

Be it known that l, BRADLEY G. HILDRETH, of Wilmington, in the county of New Castle and State of Delaware, have invented an linprovement in Step-Ladders, of which the following is a specitication: I

The object of my invention is the production ot' a ladder of simple construction, and not liable to get out of order, and still to be adapted to all the uses of a step-ladder, and having the advantage of being extended to reach any height required for house purposes.

My invention relates to the following particulars: Each succeeding section is held in its upward position by means ot'springcatches, as hereinafter described. The side pieces of the upper section slide between hooks ot' iron fastened to the inside of the next lower section, which have bevels to cause a locking of the said upper section when all the sections are brought to their lower position and the lower end of the upper section is spread out from the next section to form a support, the upper ends ofthe side pieces bearingV against the under sides of the upper step of the next section, and pins which project from said side pieces resting upon the above-mentioned irons, whereby the ladder is rml y braced in position in its contracted form.

' In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of my improved step-ladder. Fig. 2 is a section ot' the same in a vertical planeparallel therewith". Fig. 3, Sheet No. 2, is'a side elevation with the sections extended. Fig. 4 is a rear view of lthe same. Figs. 5 and 6 are a face and end views of one of the clasping L-irons B. Figs. 7 and 8 are like views' of one of the irons B'. Bike letters of reference in all the figures indicate the same parts.

nA, A1, and A2 are, respectively, the front, middle, and rear sections of my improved ladder. The sections A and A1 are connected together by means of the clasping L-irons B, one of which is shown in Figs. 5 and 6. One end of the lower irons 4is coniined by means of screws to the middle section A', the other'ends claspingV the outer edges of the side pieces of section A. The connection of the upper irons 1s reversed to canse the free ends to clasp the outer edges of section A1, whereby said sec- .by means of L-irons B', one of which is shown in detail in Figs. 7 and 8. The front ends of the irons are let into section A1, and confined by means ot' screws, as shown in Fig. 2, the inner faces of the irons being brought the proper distance apart to admit otl section A2 sliding freely between them. The projecting ends of pins a strike against the lower edges of the Lrons B', and guard against the scc `tion being drawn out ot' its connction with section A1, and the spring-catches 1D', as they pass above said irons, spring outward and rest upon the upper edges thereof, and prevent the descent of section A2.

When the section is required to be lowered or contracted, the spring-catches are sprung inward to admit ot' their passing inside of tlie L-irons B1, and section A2 is yprevented pass ing too far in the opposite direction by the projecting ends of the pins c1 coming against the upper edges 'ot' the L-irons B2. The section A1 is prevented moving too far in the saine direction by the projecting ends of pins a2 coming against the upper edges ofv the L- 1 irons B, which are confined to section A.

When the ladder is not in use, the sections lie dat together. When it is used for the ordinary purpose of a step-ladder, the lower endv ot' the section A2 is spread out from section A1, as seen in Fig. 2, and the upper ends of its side pieces bear against the lower side ot' the upper steps d d ot' the sections A1 and A, and the edges ot' said side pieces bear against the beveled or rounded edges ot' the flanges c of the L-irons B1 B1, and the pins a1 a1 upon their upper edges, whereby the ladder is held iirmly in its position.

The steps d ot sections A and A1 are made to correspond in their distances apart, in order that when the two sections are brought together their united widths give good rests for the feet.

,If desired, recesses may be made in the lower side of the upper step of section A1, to receive the upper ends of the side pieces of section A2.

If desired, the catches C C may be made of rigid bars to turn on joint-pins, and forced out by means of springs in any convenient manner.

I claim as 1n y inventionl.' The combination of the L-irons B1 with sections A1 and A2, for holding` the sections together, guiding' them in the expansion and contraction of said sections, and holding section A2 in the position seen in Figs. l and 2, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination and arrangement'of the spring-catches C and C', respectively, with the sections A1 and A2, and the claspingiirons B and B1, whereby, `when either section is brought to its elevated position, its spring? provided With flanges c c, constructed and ar ranged substantially as set forth, whereby the ladder is held firmly in a secure position. Y B. G. HILDRETH.

Witnesses:

W. H. MERRILL, ANDREW CAREY. 

